When it comes to creative interests outside of Zentangle®, I find it hard just to get started. Do you know what I mean?

Zentangle has the decisions already made for us when it comes to format, size, media, color, tools and so on. It’s a perfect, well-thought-out solution for jumping in and getting going. Rick and Maria knew exactly what they were doing — and who they were helping — when they created the Zentangle Method™.

But when it comes to my other creative interests, my mind is an overwhelming whirl of project choices and decisions, or indecision as is usually the case.

I can be a {really good} procrastinator. There’s always some thing on my to-do list that “needs” to be done before I can get to the creative activities I’d like to explore. And I have a whole binder of project ideas and prompts and tutorials just itching to go.

It’s classic avoidance and seems I’m not alone in this pickle.

But there’s a cognitive behavioral strategy that could make a difference …

If you’ve been with me for a while you’ll remember I’m a fan and a long-time subscriber to the late Canadian artist Robert Genn’s The Painter’s Keys eletter, now published by his daughter Sara. “This twice-weekly letter began in the winter of 1998 by my dad”, notes Sara. The letter is always interesting, eclectic, educational and inspiring.

The most popular modern antidote to procrastination is what cognitive behavioural therapists call “The Five-Minute Rule.” Based on Newton’s First Law of Motion, it works on the premise that things in motion stay in motion and things at rest stay at rest. You really only need to get moving to start coasting in your new activity.

Make it count in the direction of creativity by making your five-minute burst art-related. Let it morph into an indulgent chunk of in-the-zone soul-polishing productivity.

Interested in learning more about The Five-Minute Rule, I went on a little internet excursion.

The 5-minute rule is a cognitive behavioral therapy technique for procrastination in which you set a goal of doing whatever it is you would otherwise avoid, but only do it for five minutes.

If after five minutes it’s so horrible that you have to stop, you are free to do so. Mission accomplished. Done.

However, what most people find is that after five minutes of doing something, it’s easy to continue until the task is done.

Setting the intention and starting is usually the hardest part.

By thinking about the task as something that may take only 5 minutes, it feels much less overwhelming and a lot more doable.

I hope you find this helpful for those “getting started” moments too. Because, as Sara quotes from the great racing car driver Mario Andretti, “If you wait, all that happens is that you get older.” I’m sure Yogi Berra must have said something equally sage.

If you’d like to sign up for The Painter’s Keys twice-weekly inspiration for artists letter, look for the SUBSCRIBE link near the top of this page.

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Many tanglers like to use these biweekly Tangle Refreshers as their Zentangle® challenge-of-the-day.

Using the RANDOM TANGLE SELECTOR in the left sidebar this TanglePatterns String was selected for today – either to go with today’s Buried Treasure or just to use as a starting point for your day’s tangling.

Think of this as your tangle Challenge, if you’re so inclined. TanglePatterns String 230 is from tangler Beth Snoderly and was originally posted here.

Right click and SAVE to your computer; then print. Pinning content from this site is not permitted. Copyright notice is posted on the bottom of every page. Thank you for respecting these rights.

Remember that Zentangle strings are always drawn freehand in pencil so that they magically disappear when you’ve finished tangling the tile.

A string is a simple device to “divide your drawing surface into sections to be filled with tangles“.

“As you tangle, your strings disappear as if by magic. This adds to the charm and unified appearance of your completed art. If you had used a pen to draw your string, you would still see the initial sectioning in your completed creation.“

The Tangle Refresher series, aka Buried Treasure, spotlights hidden tangle gems from the past. It can remind you of tangles you might not have used for a while or introduce you to some you haven’t come across yet.

Here are five more tangle pattern gems and a Tangle Refresher from a year (or two) ago for your tangling pleasure. Remember to check out the “More Good Stuff” links below too.

BTW as you visit these tangles please do leave a comment of thanks and encouragement to show the artists you appreciate them for sharing their creativity to inspire yours. And please share a link to your favorite tangles with your followers on all your social media. Thanks!

Enhance your Zentangle experience ...

NEW! TanglePatterns.com TANGLE GUIDE, 2019 Edition

The newest and 8th Edition of my TanglePatterns.com TANGLE GUIDE. This instant-download 72-page (40 MB) interactive digital eBook contains all the tangles on the site from May 2010 through December 31, 2018. Containing over 1,000 tangles, it's a must-have tool for using the site.

"Linda, Thank you! I was relying on too few and getting stuck after 3 years of daily working with Zentangle. This has inspired me to ‘begin again’ with renewed excitement." ~ Barbara R.

See the BOOK REVIEWS page for more details on its features and view a sample page.

Visit the STORE > E-BOOKS page for more information and support TanglePatterns.com by getting your copy now!

NOW AVAILABLE IN SOFTCOVER: This is the only Zentangle book you'll ever need: the fabulous Zentangle PRIMER Vol 1. It's your CZT-in-a-book by the founders of Zentangle®! Visit the STORE tab on the top menu bar or click on the image. For more about the content and to read the rave reviews, visit the BOOK REVIEWS tab.

"Absolutely the best Zentangle Book yet! As an accomplished artist I used to think I did not need instruction on this art form. How wrong I was! My tangling improved by leaps and bounds after reading this book. If you think you have Zentangle down then you need this book more than ever!" ~ Kris H

Another great jump-starter for new tanglers is the original Official Zentangle Kit. The Kit includes all the supplies you'll need to get started properly: Sakura Micron Pens, Zentangle Tiles, pencil, sharpener, tortillion, a booklet and an instructional DVD by co-founder Maria Thomas. Click on the image for more information about the Kit and its contents.

Thanks for the reminder about the 5-Minute Rule. I too subscribe to The Painter’s Keys and find so much to value in these brief commentaries on art. Thank you Linda for all that you do to promote and encourage Zentangle. You are a blessing to all of use who start with four dots and a smile.

TanglePatterns depends on support from its users to remain online. If you find value in this unique Zentangle® resource, please help make sure it continues to be available.
Your support really matters and you have my deepest gratitude for your help. xo